miR-29c targets TNFAIP3, inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2011 Aug 5;411(3):586-92. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.06.191. Epub 2011 Jul 6.

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed that microRNA-29c (miR-29c) is involved in a variety of biological processes including carcinogenesis. Here, we report that miR-29c was significantly downregulated in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines as well as in clinical tissues compared with their corresponding controls. Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), a key regulator in inflammation and immunity, was found to be inversely correlated with miR-29c levels and was identified as a target of miR-29c. Overexpression of miR-29c in HepG2.2.15 cells effectively suppressed TNFAIP3 expression and HBV DNA replication as well as inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. We conclude that miR-29c may play an important role as a tumor suppressive microRNA in the development and progression of HBV-related HCC by targeting TNFAIP3. Thus miR-29c and TNFAIP3 represent key diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of HBV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / virology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B virus* / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus* / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B virus* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / virology*
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MIRN29a microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • TNFAIP3 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3